Niger Delta

Bayelsa Deputy Gov Tasks IYC On Value Orientation

Published

4 years ago

December 10, 2021

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has been urged to take the role of educating and enlightening youths on the core values of the Ijaw nation, including truth, honesty and self-reliance, seriously.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the advice when he granted audience to the Bayelsa West IYC Clan Chairmen Forum at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo said as a socio-cultural organisation formed to protect the interest of Ijaw youths, and the Ijaw nation in general, the IYC should make sensitizing the youths on the time-tested Ijaw values as its main business and focus.
Consequently, he urged the body to carry out intensive enlightenment campaigns aimed at changing the negative mindset and orientation of the youths from social vices such as cultism, drug abuse and electoral violence.
The Bayelsa number two man remarked that there was no redeeming value and profit in cultism, describing it as a scourge that robs its victims of their honour and integrity as potential leaders in society.
Describing the conduct and participation in elections as a civic duty, Senator Ewhrudjakpo said government would give its full support to the IYC on its grassroots campaigns against electoral violence as part of preparations for the 2023 general elections.
He advised the leadership of the IYC to take decisive steps to stop impostors using the name of the organisation to meet with oil multinationals operating in the Niger Delta for handouts.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who decried the extortion of money from businessmen and transporters bringing goods into Bayelsa, appealed to the IYC to immediately put a stop to the practice.
According to him, the unwholesome practice does not only contribute to high prices of goods and cost of living in the state, but also gives the state a bad name.
While counselling the Ijaw youths to imbibe the virtues of patience, humility and determination in order to actualise their dreams, he stressed the need for them to behave responsibly for society to trust them with leadership positions now and not in an uncertain future.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the IYC Clan Chairmen Forum, Bayelsa West, Mr Ebikebina Robinson, said the visit was to seek collaboration with government in its efforts at ensuring peace and stability in Bayelsa.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Clan Chairmen in the Sagbama area, Comrade Golio Oyin-ebi Godfrey, and his Ekeremor LGA counterpart, Comrade Douglas Perekeme, lamented that the IYC had been branded for wrongs perpetrated by miscreants parading themselves as members of the youth body.
While pleading with government to carry the body along in the scheme of things, they expressed readiness of IYC to redeem its battered image and contribute to the progress and development of the Ijaw nation.
The Chairman of the 43 Clan Chairmen of IYC, Central Zone, Comrade Teide Alla, was among officials that attended the meeting.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

22 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

22 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

22 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.